Rock Valley College men look to stay hot at nationals

For the third time in program history, Rock Valley College’s men’s basketball team will battle in the NJCAA Division III national postseason tournament.

But for the first time, the Golden Eagles will look to get off to a good start, aiming to keep the momentum going.

“It’s so important; it’s so important for us to get off on the right foot in this one,” said second-year RVC head coach Craig Doty, who has already led his team to a school-record 27 wins. “And I believe we can. I feel like we’re re-charged; we’re re-energized after the way we finished off those regionals.”

Joliet had knocked off RVC 74-68 back on Feb. 19, but the Golden Eagles bounced back to beat their rivals 72-70 in the regional finals 10 days later, with the bid to nationals on the line. Now, RVC (27-5) will take on Nassau (27-5) from Garden City, N.Y., in the first round at 7 p.m. Thursday.

RVC will have to deal with Nassau’s strong post player Jameel Charles, a 6-foot-8, 275-pound center who is averaging just under three blocks a game to go along with his 11.9 points and 9.0 rebounds. But the Golden Eagles have relied on their long-range shooters much of the way, averaging 10 made 3-pointers per game, the most in the country.

“Everybody on our team knows their role, and it’s been working,” said L.T. Davis, who averages more than two 3-pointers made and 15.3 points. “And now that we made it — now that we’re on the biggest stage yet — I don’t think we’re going to let it go. We’re going to keep doing the little things, stay disciplined, stay focused, and stay hungry.”

Jared Mayes leads the squad in scoring with 18.7 points, while Frank Cimino is the best Golden Eagle from long range — and No. 2 in the nation — with 103 3-pointers. Tairhe Turner is averaging 7.4 rebounds, and Brandt Voiles leads the way with 2.8 assists.

A win over Nassau Thursday would ensure this year’s squad of its best finish at nationals after they finished seventh in each of the other two attempts — including last year, in Doty’s first season in Rockford. But with No. 1 ranked Brookdale, the defending D-III national champions, likely waiting in Friday’s quarterfinals, there won’t be much time to celebrate.

And they won’t.

“Our guys are young, but they’re experienced. They’ve been in these situations before,” Doty said. “This isn’t their first rodeo, and they’re going to go out there and play their hearts out.

“We’re prepared, and that’s all you can ask right now. From here, it’s up to them. It comes down to what they do on the court.”